(Drank 09/17/2026 TH @ 5:00pm): Louise and Jerry created a fine neighborhood tavern for the city of…read moreHoboken!
In my quest to explore the various cuisine scenes and things to do throughout Jersey City (specifically the Heights) and by extension nearby Hoboken, I crept into Louise And Jerry's Tavern for a quick pint or two after I dropped some dough at nearby Tunes Hoboken and before I met up with my friend for dinner. Located inside an 1880s former hotel building, it all started back in 1958 when Louise and Jerry Grieco (the tavern's namesake) rented the downstairs space when it was a Dutch sailor's bar called the Old Neerlandia. In 1959, they purchased it from the Schaeffer's family. At that point, the family business began first with Jerry as the lone bartender until health issues took that away from him. So, Louise stepped in until sadly she suffered a stroke in 1994. Louise's sister, Mary Romano, took over, and to this day, it's been the Romano family who has kept the legacy alive. Would I raise a pint or two to cheers Louise and Jerry for their tavern!?
PURCHASE(S)
Guinness Draught Irish Dry Stout Beer 4.2% ABV 16floz Draft ($7.00): Dark brown chocolate color, robust coffee roasty aroma, heavy body, balanced chocolate coffee flavor, mouthcoating finish, and full coffee roasty aftertaste. One of my favorite beers!
Yuengling Brewery Traditional Amber Red Lager Beer 4.5% ABV 16floz Draft ($7.00): Copper red color, malty sweet aroma, low body, malty sweet flavor, clean finish, and smooth malty sweet aftertaste. A favorite I always had trouble pronouncing!
SERVICE
I was casually greeted by two young women behind the bar as I approached, queried about their happy hour specials (MO-FR 1:00pm-7:00pm $1.00 off any draft), ordered my first pint, and found an empty corner in the back. I returned to the bar with my empty glass in hand, ordered my next pint, and simply closed my tab as the post-work crowd started to billow in. All was simple and straightforward which was fine with me - cheers!
PARKING
(Varied; N/A this instance): This was a moot point since it was minutes away from Tunes Hoboken (or, slightly flat-to-downhill leisurely walk 30-minute distance from my friend's place). No parking lots in sight, there seemed to be plenty of spots along the main drag of Washington St. and all surrounding side streets - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
You carefully stepped down recessed stairs into a quaint one-floor layout where your immediate focus was on the large mahogany bar with plenty of stools, then to the exposed brick walls where a few items hung, the reflective tin ceiling, heavily-dated floor tiles, and a pool table and some tall tables in the back, along with the jukebox nd dart board. A decent amount of natural lighting filtered through the front and back glass windows while large electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. There were several TVs while a jukebox played music in the background.
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
Louise And Jerry's Tavern was my kind of place with a "refined dive bar" feel (meant in a loving way), and every neighborhood would be so lucky to have such a watering hole to destress, chat with strangers, and grab a pint after work. The community I sensed as I observed from my back corner stool while patrons started coming in was beautiful as the bartenders knew them and people knew each other. The beer list was kept to a minimum, the liquor choices were varied enough to at least make the standards, outside food was allowed since there wasn't an onsite kitchen, and they were an openly pet-friendly bar, which was awesome! Plus, I always preferred to support small mom & pop businesses. I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $14.50 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS